Monday, November 30, 2009

After 20 years it's not too late...


I'm a sucker for "feel good" stories so this article by Rick Reilly on ESPN.com about a father being united with the son he never new he had hit me just right. Here's hoping for a "happily ever after" on this one.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Here's one to think about...

As I read the story of the man who was thought to be in a vegetative state for 23 years even though he was aware of all that was happening around him (Story here) I couldn't help but wonder how I would deal with such a situation.
Though it reads like a Rod Serling Night Gallery episode, I began to wonder if this might not be the ultimate contemplative experience. Unable to interact with the outside world, would I turn inward in a search for God or sink into insanity -- however short a trip that might be? The frustration of being unable to move or communicate with the physical world around me would put me in the position of being a spectator in my own life. Dare I admit that I find something intriguing about that idea? Perhaps it would be naught more than forced navel-gazing, but I believe I would be led to a quest for the divine.
It kinda makes ya think, but then again... that's all you could do.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Who's the boss?

Apparently Cardinal George's Presidential Address to the USCCB is raising the hackles of some who feel that they can best determine who and what is authentically catholic and the bishops should simply learn to live with that.
In his remarks, the Cardinal reminded the assembly of St. Ignatius of Antioch's advice to the Phildelphians that "...all who belong to God and Jesus Christ are with the bishop" and further "…that you do nothing without your bishop…”
In a secular society that clings to the Huey Long rallying cry of "Every Man a King," this does not sit comfortably with the masses. The secular press unsurprisingly presents the Cardinal's remarks as a power grab and attempt to regain control.
In anticipation of the Solemnity of Christ the King, I am reminded that my faith, my trust is placed not it myself or my own ideas, thoughts and desires, but in Christ. The bishop serves as Christ's vicar to the local church. While recognizing they are not perfect, I feel it is unjust to immediately ascribe nefarious motives to their actions. Unity will not be found among the faithful without the bishop.

Monday, November 16, 2009

A little child can teach them...


The Reverend Know-it-all frequently cites the wisdom of his friend Rabbi Philip Lefkowitz. I am honored to have had the opportunity to have a few conversations with the Rabbi and have been deeply impressed with his wisdom, humor, compassion, and the respect with which he treats all people. That respect means that he is going to tell them the truth even when that truth may make people feel uncomfortable. Part of that truth involves the reverence for life that is inherent in Orthodox Judaism, a reverence that is fully in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic Church on the issue.
For that reason, I was not surprised but very pleased to read the story from the Catholic News Service about Rachel Casey and her family. Rachel is not quite three years old and was born with Down syndrome and has various heart ailments. Her Irish Catholic family had been stationed in Israel where her father worked with United Nations Truce Supervision Organization. As the Caseys lived in an ultra-Orthodox area of Jerusalem where the United Nations is not held in high regard, they were concerned with the level of care that would be available for their daughter. In short, the level of care and acceptance far exceeded that available in their native Sligo, Ireland.
This story once again demonstrates how the least among us often serve as a catalyst for understanding between disparate groups.

Friday, November 13, 2009

A game of chicken?

Legislators in Washington D.C. appear to be on a collision course with the Archdiocese of Washington whose Catholic Charities arm partners with the city to provide services to about 68,000 people. Officials of the Archdiocese are concerned that if lawmakers adopt a proposal to allow same sex "marriages" the Church might be forced to provide benefits to same sex couples and thereby recognize those unions.

The marriage legislation is expected to pass next month and has the mayor's support.

Jane G. Belford, the chancellor of the Washington archdiocese, wrote Councilman Phil Mendelson on Wednesday asking for an exemption to protect the church's religious freedoms. The church wants to be exempt from any measure that would require it to extend benefits to same-sex couples or allow gays and lesbians to adopt children.

The Councilman considers such an exemption to be a dangerous precedent. "Allowing individual exemptions opens the door for anyone to discriminate based on assertions of religious principle," Mendelson said.

Once more the tension arises between the church being in the world but not of the world.

The Bishops step up to the plate

Last week for the first time in my memory, the Catholic Bishops of the United States stood up to be counted and effectively mobilized millions of Catholics to demand that the healthcare reform proposal include safeguards against public funding for the murder of the unborn.
I'm tired of using euphemisms such as "termination of unplanned pregnancies" or even "abortion", and I absolutely refuse to refer to these barbaric practices as part of "reproductive health care". Abortion is no more about health care than the showers at Birkenau were about hygiene.
Under pressure from the bishops and much of the Catholic electorate, legislators included the Stupak amendment at the last minute. For once the bishops effectively exercised their moral authority and had an impact on pending legislation. So now I am not surprised to hear the cry of "UNFAIR!" arise from many quarters -- particularly from those who formerly had been successful in forwarding their private agendas.
I am amazed however at the extent of the duplicity among these organizations. Those who loudly denounce the actions of the bishops as a violation of church and state fail to comment on religious organizations such as; the Rabbinical Assembly, Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, Episcopal Church, Society for Humanistic Judaism, Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, Union for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis, North American Federation of Temple Youth, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, Unitarian Universalist, Presbyterian Church (USA), Women of Reform Judaism, Society for Humanistic Judaism, Church of the Brethren Women’s Caucus, Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association, Lutheran Women’s Caucus, Christian Lesbians Out, YWCA, all of which support abortion coverage in the health care bill.
The loudest voices seem to be those such as Planned Parenthood, for whom the slaughter of innocents represents a major source of profit.
The battle is far from over. Indeed, I believe we are merely celebrating the the battle has finally been engaged.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Happy Veterans' Day

Even I teared up at this... and they say I don't have a heart!


The Return from Iraq - The most amazing home videos are here

thx to The Deacon's Bench

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Director of abortion clinic quits, joins pro-life group

It was uplifting to read on ZENIT that Abby Johnson, former director of a Planned Parenthood center quit her job and joined a pro-life group after witnessing an abortion.
I am encouraged to consider that if an individual can come to this change of heart, there is hope that society may eventually come to a similar metanoia. (story here)

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

A Christian Science health plan... If you get sick, we'll pray for you.

The Los Angeles Times reports that Sen. Orrin Hatch, with the backing of other prominent politicians, has succeeded in getting a provision into proposed health care bill that would allow Christian Science prayer treatments to be covered by insurers on the same footing as traditional clinical care.. (story here)
This approach may find footing among those who are afraid of the budgetary impact of universal health coverage. A prayer treatment costs less than an office visit co-pay under many traditional plans.

Who is the fraud?

Christopher Hitchens has once again wandered off into his own loony land as he goes off on a tirade against one whose life he claims has left millions worse off. Who might this be?
Hitler? Stalin? Mao Zedong? Pol Pot?
No, in Christopher Hitchens' world only one person could be that evil... Mother Teresa of course.
Information and Bill Donohue's response is here.